For women who experience several miscarriages, medical investigation often describes the cause as unexplained. According to research, repeated miscarriage may not be as inexplicable as we think. Studies have linked a symptomless condition to recurrent miscarriage in many women.
The condition is known as Hyperhomocysteinemia. Quite simply, it means high blood levels of an amino acid, homocysteine. This is produced naturally by the body as part of protein digestion. For some time, elevated levels have been linked to heart disease and thrombosis. It is believed that higher homocysteine may lead to increased risk of blood clotting in the womb thereby cutting off supply of vital nutrients from the placenta.
A Norwegian study looked at more than 5,800 women and their associated 14,000 pregnancies showed women with high homocysteine levels had almost 40% higher risk of miscarriage. It also showed that women with higher homocysteine levels were far more likely to have low birth weight babies and suffer pregnancy complications. A Dutch Study revealed similar results.
In addition, research shows that there is a link between high homocysteine and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). APS increases the risk of blood clots and miscarriage. It follows then that if your cause of miscarriage has been put down to APS, taking steps to reduce homocysteine levels may improve pregnancy outcomes.
The cause
Homocysteine is made in the body from another amino acid called methionine found in various forms of protein. In a healthy body, homocysteine is converted into two substances – SAMe and glutathione. These are essentially good guys and have many health benefits. However, if this conversion is not carried out efficiently, circulating levels of homocysteine rise. Effective conversion needs certain nutrients including B vitamins (especially B12), zinc, magnesium and choline.
Nutritional therapy – The only treatment
With no medical treatment or licensed drug, nutritional therapy is the answer to lowering homocysteine.
The best way to reduce levels of homocysteine is by dietary changes. Conversion of homocysteine into vital substances needs a balanced, healthy diet and blood levels are highest in those who eat a lot of animal protein and consume low amounts of fruit and vegetables. So cutting down on meat and increasing intake of vegetables is a really good start. Foods rich in folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 are known to help clear homocysteine. Sources include green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, sprouts, cabbage and spinach. Studies have shown that taking omega 3 essential fats significantly reduced homocysteine levels. Oily fish and walnuts are great sources.
Coffee consumption and stress are also likely to increase levels. This is because both increase levels of stress hormones which need clearing from the body. This process competes for B vitamins thereby leading to higher homocysteine in the blood.
Currently there is no routine screening for high homocysteine although private testing is available through most Nutritional Therapists. There is also not yet an agreed safe level amongst health professionals.
If you have suffered miscarriage, it is worth making simple dietary changes and taking supplements of B vitamins, magnesium and zinc. Even if your homocysteine levels are not high, all of these can safely be taken as part of a pre conception programme and all support the endocrine (hormone) system which has the added bonus of boosting fertility!
Case study
When Chloe came to see me she had a 2 year old daughter but her attempts to conceive again had resulted in three miscarriages. At age 38, she was desperate for another baby and did not feel she had time to waste. While awaiting an appointment for medical investigations she came to see me. Looking at her family history, there was clear evidence of high homocysteine levels in her ancestry – heart disease and clotting disorders. We started her on a homocysteine reducing programme and included supplements to ensure efficient conversion in her body. Within two months she had conceived again and went on to have a healthy baby boy.
(name changed to protect privacy)
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Total Fertility 